02-04-2025
51 Rockford restaurants receive $189K in COVID-19 pandemic relief grants
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Fifty-one Rockford restaurants will share $189,871 in COVID-19 pandemic relief grants to offset high unemployment taxes.
Each business received different amounts, depending on their tax liability. The highest grant awarded by the Illinois Restaurant Relief Grant was $21,622.
'The Restaurant Relief Grant is making a real difference for our local hospitality industry,' said John Groh, President/CEO of GoRockford. 'These businesses shape our community identity, spark creativity and create vital jobs. We're proud to see another round of funding go to the hardworking restaurant, bar, and coffee shop owners whose passion helps Rockford and our region grow, thrive and remain a vibrant place to live and visit.'
The funding aims to help with the financial strain placed on restaurants due to unemployment tax payments incurred during government-ordered shutdowns during the pandemic.
The following restaurants received grants in the third round of the program:
27 Aluna @ Octane
Abreo Restaurant
Alchemy at Aldeen/ Gio events
Alpine View Restaurant
Broadway Joe's (Dusty Boots Saloon)
Carlyle Brewing
Casey's Pub
Culver's of Winnebago
District Bar & Grill
Don Carter Lanes
Famous Dave's Rockford
Forest Hills Lanes
Franchesco's Ristorante
Golden Corral
Greenfire Restaurant & Bakery
Hoffman House
Hope & Anchor English Pub
J. W. Marc's Fusion Café
Joe's Casa Di Amici
Johnny Pamcakes
Johnny Pamcakes Too
John's Restaurant
LimaMar Restaurant
Lucha Cantina
Machine Shed
Mary's Market
Mulligan's of Rockford
Murphy's Pub & Grill
Onyx Bar & Grill
Oscar's Pub & Grill
Park Lanes
Pig Minds
Pizza Ranch
Rookie's Pub & Grill
Rusty Nail Tavern
Scanlan's
Spider Sushi
Stockholm Inn
Stockyard Rock Burger Bar/Half Baked Bar
Tad's Bar & Grill
Tavern on Clark
Thai Hut Restaurant
The Cherry Bowl
The Filling Station
The Norwegian
The Olympic Tavern
The Pomodoro
Thunderbay Grill
Tower Kitchen & Bar
Viking Lanes
Vintage @501/TacoLibre
This is the third round of funding from the grant program, which has administered $855,158 to local businesses in total.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.